Defend the Flock: How Avian Influenza 

Affects Us All

February 25, 2021

Webinar Questions & Answers

DISEASE

1. How do you explain the reason why since 2015 we no longer see this particular avian 

influenza virus circulating in wild birds in North America?

The ecology of avian influenza viruses is very interesting, complex, and with our current 

knowledge, unpredictable. We don’t fully understand the reasons why avian influenza strains 

disappear from wild bird populations and other strains emerge or reappear. Researchers have 

identified some factors that appear to influence the persistence of avian influenza virus in wild 

bird populations, including weather, shifts in bird migration patterns, and development of 

immunity in birds previously exposed to avian influenza viruses. 

2. With the devastating consequences of an avian influenza outbreak why have many states 

stopped surveillance testing?

All fifty U.S. States test poultry for avian influenza. In 2020, well over 1 million avian influenza 

tests were conducted on large and small poultry farms throughout the United States. We’re on 

track to perform a similar number of tests in 2021. Some states have expanded and increased 

their baseline surveillance testing since 2015 especially during spring and fall wild bird 

migratory seasons. Companies and producers impacted by highly pathogenic avian influenza 

(HPAI) in 2015 know how important on-going surveillance efforts coordinated with a timely 

response prevents spread of HPAI.

3. Feed can be a fomite for the avian influenza virus. Why was is not mentioned in the Spread 

by Indirect Contact section?

The items listed on the slide are just three of many examples of things that can spread germs by 

indirect contact. You are correct that feed is one of them, and it’s addressed in Principle #12 of 

the 14 NPIP Biosecurity Principles. For tips to prevent feed from being a pathway for germs to 

get into your flock, check out the Feed and Replacement Litter Checklist in the Defend the Flock 

Resource Center.
4. Are there any correlations with avian influenza outbreaks and seasons (either from bird 

migration and/or temperatures)?

Animal health officials around the world recognize a pattern of avian influenza outbreaks 

occurring in cooler months of the year. An interesting observation is that since 2014, all highly 

pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in the United States were identified in the months 

December through June. Our seemingly long “avian influenza season” is due in part to the 

varied climate throughout the country and the wide range of wild bird species that spend at 

least a few months of the year in the United States. 

5. How do you tell the difference between highly pathogenic avian influenza vs a regular 

upper respiratory infection?

Highly pathogenic avian influenza and virulent Newcastle disease can quickly kill a high 

proportion of the flock. The mortality rate from other poultry respiratory infections is usually 

not as high. The only way to tell for certain what germ is causing a respiratory illness is to 

perform laboratory tests. Your veterinarian, State Veterinarian, or veterinary diagnostic 

laboratory can test your flock to find the cause. 

6. Here in Southern California, we have been struggling with an outbreak of virulent 

Newcastle disease recently. Can you comment on the similarities and differences in terms of 

biosecurity for the different diseases?

The biosecurity principles help protect flocks against any contagious disease of poultry. The 

measures that reduce the risk of introducing the avian influenza virus to your flock also reduce 

the risk of introducing virulent Newcastle disease virus. 

VACCINES

7. Please tell about the vaccines to prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza and low 

pathogenic avian influenza.

Vaccination against different avian influenza virus subtypes has been used in a variety of 

poultry species. Avian influenza vaccine has been documented to be effective in reducing virus 

shedding and preventing illness and death in poultry. 

Emergency vaccination has not been implemented in the recent outbreaks in the United States. 

USDA APHIS’ primary response strategy to end a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak is 

stamping-out without vaccination, a method considered to be the most effective and rapid way 

to eradicate the disease from the nation’s flocks. Under certain conditions and if an appropriate 

vaccine is available, an emergency vaccination strategy could be considered, particularly for 

specific types of birds, such as valuable breeding stock or endangered exotic birds. To learn 
more about a potential emergency vaccination strategy against avian influenza, see the USDA 

APHIS HPAI Response Plan.

8. Is there any vaccine that has been used in the past for low pathogenic or highly pathogenic 

avian influenza?

Yes, vaccine has been used in the past in the United States to control small-scale low 

pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. Vaccination of turkey breeders to protect against 

influenza viruses from swine herds is often used in states with large swine populations and 

where swine herds are near turkey breeder flocks. Vaccination has not been implemented in 

the recent highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks. 

9. Are there any vaccines that are commercially available at smaller scale for backyard flock

owners (chickens)?

Yes, small flock owners can purchase several types of vaccines for their poultry, including 

vaccines against Marek’s disease, Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis, and fowl pox, and 

others. 

10. H5 avian influenza is considered low transmission between poultry and human and also 

between human and human. Why not apply routine H5 avian influenza vaccination program 

instead of stamping out?

A routine avian influenza vaccination program is theoretically possible. However, vaccinating 

the billions of domestic poultry grown in the United States every year has practical drawbacks. 

A nationwide vaccination campaign may not be effective if the vaccine is not an excellent match 

for the circulating H5 influenza virus type and any mutated strains. Also, a widespread H5 avian 

influenza vaccination program would be extremely expensive and result in other severe 

economic consequences, such as loss of international trade. 

INTERNATIONAL

11. Last week we heard in the news about H5N8 infections in Human in Russia and one 

mortality. Is there any information about this virus? Is it a new mutation? What should we 

expect?

In February 2021, the World Health Organization published a report of H5N8 infection in seven 

people who worked on a highly pathogenic avian influenza affected poultry farm in Russia. You 

can read the report here: Human infection with avian influenza A (H5N8) – the Russian 

Federation. The people who were exposed to the H5N8 virus reported no signs of illness. Public 

health officials are investigating the incident, so expect additional reports to follow. Based on 

preliminary information, public health experts have assessed the risk of human-to-human 

transmission of this virus to be low. 
12. Is the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) AI Clean Compartmentalization being 

recognized by other countries? What efforts are being made to get this program more widely 

accepted in other countries?

The National Poultry Improvement Plan, an industry-State-Federal cooperative organization, 

developed management guidelines in 2014 for the Avian Influenza Clean Compartment for 

primary poultry breeders. In 2017, a primary poultry breeding company achieved recognition by 

NPIP as the first U.S. AI Clean Compartment. The purpose of the program is to provide 

international trading partners with confidence in the health status of imported breeding stock. 

Companies with this certification are recognized for operating at high levels and exceeding 

basic biosecurity standards. No foreign country has recognized the U.S. AI Clean Compartment 

yet. USDA APHIS and poultry industry partners continue to educate trading partners about the 

program and have communicated with more than a dozen countries to encourage acceptance. 

BACKYARD

13. For a new “backyard poultry farm” where is the safest place to acquire chickens? Is it 

safer, meaning is the risk reduced if you incubate eggs and raise hatchlings rather than 

acquire parents and allow reproduction to occur naturally? Can chickens become infected by

non-domestic, non-farm birds like owls, cardinals, bluebirds etc. you typically see in your 

backyard and have little to no control over?

The younger the bird, the lower the risk of starting a flock with a contagious poultry disease. 

Hatching eggs or day-old poultry from a National Poultry Improvement Plan participant are the 

least risky ways to acquire disease tested and clean poultry. The riskiest choices would be adult 

birds that have commingled with others, such as birds brought home from auctions, flea 

markets, or swap meets. 

Yes, wild birds can introduce contagious poultry disease to your flock. Tips to minimize contact 

between wild birds and your flock include:

• Keep feeders and drinkers in a covered area.

• Avoid spilled feed. Use feeders at correct height and give feed and treats in the feeder, 

not on the ground.

• Rodent proof feeders.

• Use rodent traps and bait around the coop.

• Do not feed wildlife, especially waterfowl.

• If there is an open water source (for example, a pond) on your property that waterfowl 

visit, prevent your poultry from accessing it.

14. For backyard flocks: what are some actionable tips to minimize contact with wild birds 

that may be carriers, other than limiting free-ranging time and securing feeder inside an 

enclosed pen?
Below are some tips for minimizing contact between wild birds and your flock: 

• Keep feeders and drinkers in a covered area.

• Avoid spilled feed. Use feeders at correct height and give feed and treats in the feeder, 

not on the ground.

• Rodent proof feeders.

• Use rodent traps and bait around the coop.

• Do not feed wildlife, especially waterfowl.

• If there is an open water source (for example, a pond) on your property that waterfowl 

visit, prevent your poultry from accessing it.

You can also search for websites of pastured poultry producer organizations. Their members 

have experience and tips to share for managing the risks for free-ranging poultry. 

15. I have a small backyard flock. How do I best keep my flock safe from disease? Is there 

concern with smaller animals and rodents seen in backyard flocks closer to urban 

communities?

The Defend the Flock Resource Center has a lot of tips to protect backyard flocks from 

contagious poultry disease. The biosecurity fact sheets, brochures, checklists, and videos can 

help you customize a biosecurity plan that is practical for you and your small flock. 

Yes, wild birds and rodents can introduce contagious poultry disease to your flock. Tips for 

minimizing contact between your poultry and wild animals: 

• Keep feeders and drinkers in a covered area.

• Avoid spilled feed. Use feeders at correct height and give feed and treats in the feeder, 

not on the ground.

• Rodent proof feeders.

• Use rodent traps and bait around the coop.

• Do not feed wildlife, especially waterfowl.

• If there is an open water source (for example, a pond) on your property that wild birds 

visit, prevent your poultry from accessing it.

16. What advice do you all give for backyard poultry owners if there were to be outbreaks in 

the US?

Creating good biosecurity habits that you use everyday will protect your flock now, as well as

later when an outbreak occurs. The Defend the Flock Resource Center has checklists, 

infographics, brochures, and videos that can help you create a biosecurity routine today. 

If you have sick birds, do not visit a neighbor who has birds or ask them to come over to your 

property to check your birds. Instead, take photos or videos of the problems in the flock, and 

contact your nearest veterinary diagnostic laboratory for help in finding the cause of bird 

illness. 
You can also prepare by finding out how to contact your State Animal Health Officials, so that 

you’ll be connected to poultry health news and quickly learn about response activities if a 

poultry disease outbreak occurs in your area. 

17. What cleaners do you recommend to disinfect and clean the coop and equipment? Other 

than Activated Oxine and Vircon S., what other cleaners can be used that are safe for poultry?

For best results, first clean the coop and equipment to remove any visible dirt. Allow them to 

dry before applying an EPA-registered disinfectant according to label directions. Washing with 

soap and water and drying can kill 90% of germs and allows your disinfectant to have maximum 

effect on the few germs left behind by the cleaning step. 

You can choose from many products on the Environmental Protection Agency list of registered 

disinfectants with label claims for effectiveness against avian influenza virus. For much more 

detail about cleaning and disinfection procedures on farms, see USDA APHIS Standard 

Operating Procedures: Cleaning and Disinfection. 

EGGS

18. What is the risk of contamination and contracting illness with egg consumption by 

humans? How do I keep my flock safe and anyone eating their eggs safe? If a flock is infected, 

should eggs be destroyed as well as the flock being put down? This is all new to me as a new 

backyard flock owner.

The risk of human food-borne illness, such as salmonellosis, from consuming eggs is greatly 

reduced by only using eggs from a healthy flock, as well as properly handling and cooking eggs 

for consumption. 

Any medication given to a hen can potentially end up in her eggs and threaten the health of a 

person eating them. Consult a veterinarian if you suspect illness in your flock and before using 

any medication for laying hens. Cooperative Extension Service has published articles about 

backyard flocks egg production, including Safe Handling of Eggs from Small and Backyard Flocks. 

There is no evidence that avian influenza virus can be transmitted to humans through eating 

contaminated poultry products. When a flock is depopulated due to avian influenza, the eggs 

are also destroyed to prevent contaminated eggs from spreading the virus to other birds. 

19. If you work grocery and one egg is broken, why can't we take a second and wash the 

others off. They don't even go to compost.

Grocery store companies develop their egg quality and safety policies using guidance from the 

Food and Drug Administration, local food safety authorities, and other resources. Your 
employer is probably your best contact to answer your questions about workplace policies and 

to consider your suggestions. 

Consumers can find general information about safely handling eggs on the Food and Drug

Administration website.

EXOTIC BIRDS

20. What are the concerns for parrot owners? Upon an outbreak in the county, if the parrots 

are immediately no longer allowed access to any outdoor aviaries, does that keep them safe, 

if other protocols are practiced?

Parrots are susceptible to avian influenza, so parrot owners should consider the risks to their 

birds. Keeping them indoors during a nearby avian influenza outbreak is one important 

biosecurity measure, along with reducing the risk of exposure to the virus carried by visitors, 

other birds, and potentially contaminated things like cages, toys, or food and water. Defend the 

Flock resources and biosecurity principles are applicable or adaptable to pet bird collections as 

well as domestic poultry flocks. 

21. What are the concerns for zoos with exotic and endangered bird collections?

All birds are susceptible to avian influenza, and the disease is a concern for zoos and other 

collections of exotic birds. Facilities with exotic birds should create and implement a biosecurity 

plan and prepare to respond to an avian influenza outbreak in their region or at their facility. 

The Zoo and Aquarium All Hazards Partnership helps zoos and exotic wildlife facilities prepare 

and respond to hazards like avian influenza. The organization’s website contains resources for 

creating a biosecurity plan and conducting preparedness exercises. 

BIOSECURITY

22. Biosecurity is very difficult! On my 12 acres I have a pond which hosts different migrating 

birds. My neighbor is doing back yard poultry. They both roam freely and while never directly 

mix they frequently come within 50-100 feet of each other. Other wildlife moves between 

both groups. This is common all over the northeast. How can we practically maintain good 

biosecurity in this situation?

You have some challenges in developing your site-specific biosecurity plan! Even though you 

can’t completely eliminate risks, don’t be discouraged. You can take measures to protect your 

flock by focusing on big risks and things you can control. 
In your case, your birds’ potential contact with the neighbor’s birds and wild animals are 

probably the greatest risks for transmission of poultry disease germs. Sturdy, tight fencing

(consider overhead netting, too) will be very important to keep your birds in and all other 

animals out. If you can maintain a minimum of 30 feet separation between your birds and the 

neighbor flock, that might be the best you can do under the circumstances. 

Keeping weeds short, trimming bushes, and banishing clutter will help you deter rodents and 

wild birds from hanging out. Get rid of water sources, outdoor feeders, and spilled feed that 

might attract wild birds. Take a look at the Defend the Flock Resources Resource Center for 

other ideas of practical measures that you might be able to use with your flock. 

23. Is there a safe way to free range your poultry?

Poultry kept outdoors are potentially exposed to wild birds, rodents, and other wild animals 

that not only prey on your birds and consume their food, but also can carry germs that cause 

poultry disease. You can reduce the risk of transmission (and predation), but probably not make 

it completely safe, by taking measures to keep other animals from visiting your free-range flock.

If you can choose the location of your pasture, pick a site away from other poultry flocks and 

natural water sources, such as a pond, that might attract waterfowl. Good fencing is a first step 

in setting up your free-range area, including overhead barriers to wild birds like netting, 

deterrent wires, or sunshades. Eliminate places for wild animals to hide by weeding, mowing, 

and picking up clutter. Don’t provide attractive food and water sources to wild birds and other 

animals: keep feeders and feed bins covered or inside a building and promptly clean up feed 

spills. 

Check out the Defend the Flock Resources Resource Center for other ideas of practical 

measures that can be used to reduce the risk to a free-range flock. 

24. What considerations are there as far as building design for cage-free flocks?

We recommend giving close attention to the 14 NPIP Biosecurity Principles as you design your 

cage-free facility. Among other important considerations, determine where you will put your 

Perimeter Buffer Area on the premises and where you will draw a Line of Separation around 

each poultry house. Think about where vehicles, people, and equipment will enter and exit the 

property and each poultry house, and how they will be cleaned and disinfected. Some advance 

planning for excluding wild birds, rodents, and insects is also important. 

25. I am interested in providing agrotourism on my farm. What would be my best biosecurity 

system to implement for my flock?

To create your farm-specific biosecurity plan, you can take advantage of several resources 

specifically available to animal exhibitors and farms open to tourists. The National Association 

of Public Health Veterinarians has compiled information on reducing risks from animals in 
public settings on their website. Your plan should protect against the potential two-way traffic 

of contagious disease: people could carry germs to your flock, and your animals could be a 

source of germs for people. 

DEFEND THE FLOCK PROGRAM

26. How do we reach small flock producers and let them know about and participate in 

biosecurity best practices or other programs such as premises ID?

It’s challenging to reach all types of small flock owners, because they are very diverse in the 

species they keep, their production methods, and their reasons for keeping poultry. We have a 

few suggestions for contacts reaching a wide range of stakeholders with small flocks. Consider 

outreach through these organizations’ meetings, conferences, website content, or newsletters: 

• Associations for poultry exhibitors which are organized at national, regional, and local 

levels

• Organizations supporting small farms and niche poultry production, such as pastured 

poultry producers

• Cooperative Extension Service offices and 4-H leaders

• Numerous social media groups and online forums focused on backyard poultry topics

• Mail-order hatcheries who provide website content or written materials for their 

customers.

27. Are there any plans to share your social media content directly onto Facebook pages for 

backyard flock owners? There are dozens of groups with 10,000+ members each, and a lot of 

misinformation and posts ignoring biosecurity rules.

USDA APHIS regularly shares information about biosecurity and other issues important for flock 

owners on the Defend the Flock Facebook and Twitter pages. We also maintain a library of 

videos on YouTube. All flock owners are encouraged to follow these pages and share the 

content with their networks.